The Foraker Group

What a great day in the Mat-Su Valley! 💙

Our Fund Development Team was grateful to partner with the Mat-Su Health Foundation and about 20 Mat-Su nonprofits for a great conversation about fundraising—and, of course, to get some stuff done, too!

We love creating space for nonprofits to connect, share ideas, ask questions, and work through real fundraising challenges together. Thanks to everyone who joined us!

How do you know your organization is making a difference?

Our new report - Evaluating Impact in Alaska - takes a closer look at how nonprofit leaders are evaluating their impact — what’s working, what’s challenging, and where more support is needed.

We’re proud to partner with nonprofit associations across the Northwest on this project, with research by Dialogues In Action and support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.

Explore the findings, read the Alaska report, and try the new self-assessments.

👉 nwnonprofitcapacity.org

Today we are giving a big shout-out to Juneau nonprofits for their strong voices as they stood together to protect the essential work all nonprofits offer in communities across Alaska. We are proud to stand beside them and lend our voice to their effort.

After many hours, over many meetings, the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau tabled an ordinance that would have placed a sales tax on items sold by nonprofits, both those that were mission-related and those that are considered by the IRS to be unrelated business income. Foraker’s position is clear and aligns with the IRS that unrelated business income is subject to tax, and any sales tax effort should use that same system. Strong yearly mechanisms are in place to determine unrelated business income for nonprofits, and those should stand.

While we often don’t engage in local policymaking, we stood with Juneau nonprofits because of the potential precedent a sales tax of this kind could have on other communities. Unfortunately, there is no one way that nonprofits are treated in communities where a sales tax exists. Instead, organizations that operate in one or many communities must navigate each one separately. This is why the rules must be simple and easy to navigate for both the nonprofits and the government.

We strongly encourage any local government to invite nonprofits to the table early and often when considering any measure that would limit or advance their ability to deliver on their mission. In the end, this will save both time and money for the local government, local nonprofits, and the community as a whole.

Nonprofits are part of our way of life in Alaska. Every aspect of our day is integrated into nonprofit work, from switching on a light to caring for our children and our elders, to looking after our animals and our environment. We enrich people’s lives with art, culture, and religious expression, and we are an essential partner to local, state, and federal government as a cost saver, resource developer, and workforce driver.

We commend the Juneau Assembly for the right outcome of this healthy debate, and we celebrate the nonprofit leaders who stood up for the sector.

🎒 What’s in your leadership backpack?

As leaders, we carry a lot with us—tools, lessons, relationships, ideas, and sometimes a whole lot of snacks.

But what are the things you can count on when the road gets hard? What helps you make good decisions, stay connected, use your voice, keep perspective, and keep going?

Laurie shares seven essentials she thinks every leader should have in their backpack—from data that leads to action and dedicated think time to great support, water and snacks, and those all-important micro moments of joy.

Take a look inside your own backpack. What’s in there? And what might you need to add?

Read the article ---> https://www.forakergroup.org/backpack-seven-essential-items/

In recognition of the Labor Day weekend, the Foraker office will close at 3:00 this afternoon. We take this time to honor the work of Alaska’s nonprofits and celebrate their dedication to communities and missions around the state every day of the year.

We will open again on Tuesday, September 8. You can leave us a message over the weekend at [email protected].

We are expanding our team of human resources consultants!

Our consultants are a critical part of the Foraker team, supporting smaller Alaska nonprofits and Tribes with a wide range of HR needs.

We’re looking for experienced HR professionals with expertise across a broad range of HR functions—and a genuine interest in being part of the Foraker team. Most importantly, we’re seeking people who want to use their skills to support nonprofits and Tribes as they do important work serving Alaska communities.

Learn more at forakergroup.org/jobs

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Human Resources Shared Services Consultant - The Foraker Group The Position: Human Resources Shared Services Consultant (Independent Contractor) The Foraker Group is expanding its team of human resources shared services consultants to grow our depth and breadth

Join us for our upcoming webinar series to learn about board succession planning! We'll share a process to help keep your board strong, support a healthy board-CEO relationship, and, most importantly, keep the mission moving forward.

Register here: https://www.forakergroup.org/site/index.cfm/calendar.catalog_class?typeid=8&Classid=435

Help shape Alaska’s future.

We are looking for an Alaska Census Working Group Coordinator to bring people and organizations together, manage a statewide effort, and help ensure every Alaskan is counted in the 2030 Census.

If you’re a strong project manager who understands Alaska’s diverse communities and knows how to build relationships and keep complex work moving, this could be the opportunity for you.

Learn more about the position and apply today at forakergroup.org/jobs

PROGRAM: Alaska Census Working Group Coordinator - The Foraker Group JOB TITLE: Alaska Census Working Group Coordinator FTE – 20 hours/week (.5 FTE) NON-EXEMPT Effective – November 1, 2026 Reports To – Vice President of Programs Work Schedule and

If you are thinking about joining our fall fundraising intensive, now is the time to act. Fill out our interest form by September 4 to take the first step toward a more organized, strategic, and successful year-end giving season!

Our Year-End Fundraising Intensive is Back! The Foraker Group strengthens Alaska's nonprofit and tribal organizations through education, professional services and organizational development with a focus on new skills, sustainability and strategic thinking.

In a world where we are often rewarded for doing more, going deeper, or moving faster, there is real value in slowing down.

For most nonprofits right now, the needs are only increasing, and the weight of that demand can feel heavy. Doing more with fewer people and less money or energy is not the answer, but often the unspoken expectation.

In this month's Letter from Laurie, we look at three ways we can support our teams and better deliver on mission by pausing.

Check it out: https://www.forakergroup.org/when-to-pause-the-gift-of-going-slow-to-go-fast/